Women Trained in Pine Needle Craft at Shoghi Science Creativity Centre
1 min read
Shimla, November 16: A six-day capacity-building workshop on livelihood generation through pine needle craft and forest fire management concluded at the Science Teaching & Creativity Centre, Shoghi. The programme, held from November 11–16, was organized by the EICAP–PC Hub of Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE).
A total of 35 women from Shimla, Solan, Chamba, and Lahaul–Spiti were trained in making handicraft products from pine needles and in eco-friendly disposal methods that support forest fire prevention.
Workshop coordinator Priyanka Sharma, Scientific Officer, HIMCOSTE, said the training aimed to empower women by teaching them income-generating skills while promoting environmental protection. Participants learned to create table mats, coasters, baskets, trays, and vases from pine needles under the guidance of Anjana Devi and Riya of Jagriti Self-Help Group, Kandaghat.
Experts from the Appropriate Technology Centre (ATC), Sundernagar—Ramesh Thakur and Tejendra—also trained participants in making briquettes from pine waste. These briquettes can be used as fuel for cooking, heating water, and other household needs.
The workshop concluded with an exhibition of the handcrafted items created by participants, followed by distribution of certificates. EICAP–PC Hub team members Ajay Panwar, Ritwik Chauhan, and Jai Priya Verma contributed to the successful conduct of the event.
